Voices Do Not Fall On Deaf Ears

So a while back I signed a petition regarding that comprehensive immigration reform should include a measure to allow Americans to sponsor same-sex partners for immigration purposes. If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that my partner is from Sweden, so this issue really strikes home for me. When I signed the petition, I, like many others do, simply felt I was a name among many that would get lost among the lists. I was quite shocked to receive an email from Senator Dianne Feinstein! Now I know it is simply a form letter, but none the less, I appreciate the effort that I received any kind of response at all. Unfortunately, The news was not great and the letter explained how the same sex sponsorship was shot down by the republicans threats of not passing the reform bill if it was included, but I am happy that it is an issue that is being taken seriously by my Senator. So when you see the requests to sign a petition an you think, "what will my say really do", unless you use your voice, of course, no one can hear. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Gay Marriage International: Britain, The World's Eyes Are On You!

Britain's House of Commons voted today to approve a bill that would allow same sex marriages by a vote of 366 to 161! But the fight for equality is now headed to the House of Lords were the bill is expected to fight very tough opposition. Despite Prime Minister David Cameron's hopes for approval of the bill, only 45% favor the bill while 48% have said they will deny it. That leaves only 7% who have yet to make up their minds. I only hope that the House of Lords realizes that not only is Britain's gay community watching, but so is the rest of the world. Will they show the world that Britain is set to evolve with the rest of the world, or are they steadfast in the past and willing to let their fears and rigidity keep them from becoming a key player as a world's example of leadership in humanitarian rights. We are watching Britain. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Vive la France et gay paris!

The Associated Press reported today the following:

France's constitutional council has rejected a challenge by conservative lawmakers to the country's new gay marriage law, saying the law was constitutional.

That means France could see its first gay marriages by the end of May.

France's parliament passed the law legalizing gay marriage last month after a wrenching national debate. Opponents led by the conservative UMP party immediately challenged the law in France's Constitutional Council, which rejected their motion Friday.

The gay marriage law must now be published in the official journal. President Francois Hollande, who made legalizing gay marriage one of his campaign pledges last year, has promised to see the law published as soon as possible.

Congratulations to France and their movement to a better tomorrow through equality!Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Marriage Equality Internationally: Way To Go Brazil!

The Associated Press is now reporting the following:

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazilian notary publics must register same-sex civil unions as marriages if the couple requests it, the country's National Council of Justice said Tuesday.

The council that oversees the country's judiciary said in a statement that notary publics cannot refuse to marry gay couples or convert a same-sex civil union into a marriage if that's what the pair wants.

The council based its decision on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that recognized same-sex civil unions. The court said at the time that gay couples are entitled to same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies and inheritances, among other issues.

Those opposed to the council's ruling can file an appeal with the Supreme Court.

Fourteen of Brazil's 27 states so far have legalized same-same marriages.

Efforts in Congress to approve a bill legalizing gay marriage across the nation have been thwarted by conservative evangelical legislators.

Gay rights movements cheered the council's decision.

"It is a major step that will ensure equality among heterosexual and homosexual couples," Carlos Magno Fonseca, president of the Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association told reporters.

Last year, 1,277 same sex couples registered such civil unions with notary publics.

Congrats to Brazil, way to light the way! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Congratulations To Minnesota!

Minnesota has become the 12th state to recognize marriage equality! Minnesota is known for its relatively mixed social and political orientations, and has a high rate of civic participation and voter turnout. Minnesota ranks among the healthiest states, and has a highly literate population. The large majority of residents are of Scandinavian and German descent. The state is known as a center of Scandinavian American culture. Ethnic diversity has increased in recent decades. Substantial influxes of Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants have joined the descendants of European settlers and the original Native American inhabitants. Minnesota is a prime example of the people of the United States, and if they, with all their diverse peoples, can legalize marriage equality, then there is no reason why the rest of the nation cannot do the same.Way to set the example Minnesota! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Congrats Delaware!

Congrats to Delaware who today became the 11th state to legalize marriage equality for all. There is still a long road to national equality, but for Delaware ad the ten states before, they are setting a fine example for the rest of the nation to follow. These are exciting and historic time we are living in and I couldn't be more excited for the positive direction many states are heading in. I only wish California could have been one of them. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Congrats To Rhode Island!

Congrats to those in Rhode Island, who are well on their way to becoming the 10th state to recognize gay marriage! The Rhode Island Senate passed a bill today with a vote of 26-12 that will officially recognize gay marriage! The next steps are purely procedural as both the House and Governor have both supported the bill. It is estimated that marriages can legally begin as early as Aug 1st. This now makes gay marriage legal in all 5 New England states, and a fine example for the rest of the nation to follow. The common misconception is that by passing gay marriage, ministers and clergy will be forced to perform these marriages. As clearly stated in the Rhode Island bill, this is not the case. We are still a long way off from national legislation, but 20% of the nation is now setting the bar for the rest. So Congrats again Rhode Island! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Hooray For new Zealand!

Congrats to New Zealand for becoming the newest on the ever growing list of countries to legalize and recognize same sex marriages! Coming directly on the heels of Uruguay's decision last week to legalize gay marriage, New Zraland becomes lucky number 13 in the list of countries and the first in the Asia-Pacific region. These are historic times. We are seeing the very beginnings of the waves of change and evolution in humanity and perception. The change is slow. You cannot change the minds of those who have their heads buried in the sand. Slowly knowledge and acceptance will wash away the stains of ignorance and hate. No one ever said these changes would be quick, but it is exciting to see them take root. I don't know if it will be in my lifetime that prejudice and bigotry will become but a nasty snapshot of our history in this country, but I am happy to see major steps taken in the 13 others that have become the beacon of hope and the foundation to a brighter future in equality. Kudos New Zealand! Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

What Does Gay Look Like?

I think it is about time some people understand exactly what gay looks like.

Gay People:

Gay Love:

Homophobia:

The only ugly I see is the hate and abuse inflicted upon those who only want to love. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

The Absurd Things People Associate To Gay Marriage.

It just absolutely amazes me the crazy absurd things that people will associate gay marriage with. I can't tell if these people are using these things as scare tactics to sway public opinion, or if they are simply stupid. First you have Pat Robinson saying gay marriage will lead to bestiality, polygamy, pedophilia and child molestation. If anything promotes those things would be the Bible, not gay marriage. Lot and his daughters had kids. Noah and his daughters had sex. Abraham was married to his half sister and produced Isaac from which all Jews and Christians are descended.

Now you would think that Pat had covered all the horrible things that gay marriage will lead to, right? Wrong! Now we have of all people, Jeremy Irons saying that gay marriage will lead to "Fathers marrying sons," not for love, but for TAX EVASION! OMFG! View the interview with Jeremy Irons here.
First thing I need to point out to you Mr Irons, Civil Union and Marriage do NOT carry the same rights.
Secondly, the incest laws you seem to think you know all about are not written with any gender specific exclusions as you claim. They prohibit marriage between any of the following:

• Father
• Mother
• Grandfather
• Grandmother
• Brother
• Sister
• Aunt
• Uncle
• Niece
• Nephew
• First cousins (some states)

Some people really should stick to scripts because they obviously need help when they speak on their own. Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris

Gay Marriage and Binational Relationships

I keep getting asked why is it so important for federal recognition of gay marriage and not just on the state level? There are over a thousand reasons. The number of benefits denied by not having federally recognized marriage is more accurately 1,138. I obviously cannot address each of these, but one of them that effects, or will effect, me the most is the failure to recognize binational marriages.  It is no secret that my partner (And future husband) is not a citizen of the US. In his country, gay marriage is already legal. We have talked about getting married, and where we will live after. At this point, the only option would be for me to live there. He could not come here unless we went back and forth as his visas expired. If our marriage was federally recognized, then that would not be necessary. I think there is this huge misconception that binational couples only get married so one could get a US citizenship. There are, in fact, a few who do marry for this reason, but the majority of them do so for love, and that would no different in a gay marriage than a straight one. Although a handful of same sex couples have been given a reprieve from deportation, without federally recognized marriage, there is no guarantee as, for now at least, it simply depends on who is assigned the case and their personal view on the matter. Regardless of which country we decide to build our lives together in, it is a given that we will travel back and forth from time to time to visit family, and it is important to know that if something happens, our rights will be protected no matter where we are. At least in his country we will be. Should it be the same here? Love to all.

Burly Bear Chris